Ira A. Stewart
Ira A. Stewart, Ponca City resident, died Wednesday evening, Dec. 18,
1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 77.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Trout Funeral Home
Chapel with Larry King, pastor of Good News Christian Fellowship, Marion,
Kan., officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Friends may visit at the funeral home until noon Saturday.
Ira A. Stewart was born June 10, 1919, in Prague, the son of Earl M.
and Mary Richard (Puthoff) Stewart. He was married to Laveita Janeway on
Sept. 15, 1940, in Guthrie.
Survivors include his wife, of the home; two sons, Larry of Newkirk
and Ronald of Marion, Kan.; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and one sister.

Danny Gene Cochran
TONKAWA - Danny Gene Cochran, lifelong resident of Tonkawa, died Thursday
morning, Dec. 19, 1996, at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He
was 54.
The funeral will be held graveside at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Prairie
View Cemetery, south of Tonkawa. Pastor Intern Stephen Phillips, Tonkawa
First Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction
of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.
Danny Gene Cochran was born Dec. 3, 1942, in Tonkawa, the son of William
Richard and Lucille Mae (Farmer) Cochran. He grew up and received his schooling
in Tonkawa. After receiving his education he began a career in food service,
and was employed at Mary's Tonkawa Grill for more than 20 years. He was
most recently employed at the Northern Oklahoma College Cafeteria. Cochran
was a member of the Tonkawa First Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include two sisters, Peggy West and Elva Mae Barns, both
of Tonkawa; one brother, Mick Cochran of Red Rock; five nieces and nephews;
and several great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two nieces and a brother-in-law.

Helen Marie Hall
Helen Marie (Hull) Hall, longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday
morning, Dec. 19, 1996, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 95.
The funeral will be held graveside at 3 p.m. Saturday, at Ponca City
IOOF Cemetery with the Rev. Denny Hook, pastor, First United Methodist
Church, officiating. A memorial service will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the
Trout Funeral Home Chapel. Friends may visit at the funeral home until
2 p.m. Saturday.
Helen Marie (Hull) Hall was born Dec. 21, 1900, in Braddyville, Iowa,
the daughter of Elmer M. and Bessie Ellen (Martin) Hull. She moved to Ponca
City in December 1916, and graduated from Ponca City High School in May
1920. She became a member of the First United Methodist Church in January
1917. She attended Normal University (now Highlander University) in Las
Vegas, N.M. and then served as bookkeeper from May 1940 to September 1952,
for Hatfield Food Store in Ponca City.
On Oct. 6, 1951, she was married to Leonard W. Hall in Ponca City.
Following her employment at Hatfield's, Mrs. Hall was employed as assistant
manager at Bivins Book Store for 12 years and also worked as a proof reader
at the Ponca City News for a year. In addition to her membership at the
First United Methodist Church, she was a charter member of the Idle Hour
Club and a member of the literature committee of the Ponca City Woman's
Club and the Progressive Club. She was an avid reader and often presented
book reports.
Survivors include a son-in-law, Eddie Davis of Ponca City; one step-son,
Adin H. Hall of Austin, Texas; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren;
and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband
in 1984; and her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church
Library Fund, P.O. Box 348, Ponca City, OK 74602.
The family will be at the home of Eddie Davis, 1411 Reveille Drive.

Kenneth R. Sandborn
WINFIELD, Kan. - Kenneth R. Sandborn, father of several Kay County
residents, died Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 18, 1996, at Braman. He was 77.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Miles Funeral Service
Chapel in Winfield, Kan. Military graveside rites and burial will be conducted
later at the Burden (Kan.) Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home
from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday and before the funeral, Monday.
Kenneth R. Sandborn was born April 30, 1919, at Larned, Kan., one of
three children born to Harold Piel and Josephine Blanche (Shorter) Sandborn.
As a child, he moved with his parents to a farm southwest of Burden. He
received his education in the Eaton School and Burden High School. As a
young man he worked as a farmer.
In March 1937, he was married to Elda France at Wellington, Kan., and
the couple were later divorced. He was employed as a truck driver for the
Harry Grimes Trucking Co., in Arkansas City for several years. Sandborn
served three years in the U.S. Navy as a seaman during World War II and
one year in the U.S. Army. Following his discharge he returned to Kansas
and was employed with the Santa Fe Railway for 10 years. Sandborn also
farmed in the Eaton Community most of his adult life, retiring in 1981.
He attended the Church of Christ Church and enjoyed fishing and spending
time with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include five sons Donald E. of La Puente, Calif., Bobby C.
and Harold "Kenneth", both of Braman, Gary L. of Wichita and Danny R. of
Blackwell; one daughter, Judy A. Knight of Highland, Ind.; one step-daughter,
Hazel Riggs of Ponca City; one brother M. Carroll Sandborn of Burden, Kan.;
one sister, Kathryn Miller of Winfield, Kan.; 23 grandchildren; and several
great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Sandborn's name to the Home
Health Care Unit, Newton Memorial Hospital, Winfield, Kan. 67156.

Marion J. Shearer
MUSKOGEE - Marion James Shearer, former Ponca City resident, died Wednesday,
Dec. 18, 1996, at Muskogee Regional Medical Center. He was 72.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Wesley United Methodist
Church in Muskogee with the Rev. April Baker officiating. Burial will follow
at the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson, under the direction of Bradley
Funeral Service, Muskogee.
Marion James Shearer was born Aug. 24, 1924, in Blackwell, the son
of Clarence and Elizabeth Shearer. He grew up in the Blackwell-Tonkawa
area, attending schools there and in Oklahoma City.
On Dec. 30, 1966, he was married to Dolores Childress in Irving, Texas.
Shearer owned and operated an upholstery business in Ponca City before
moving to Muskogee in 1977 to make his home. While living in Muskogee,
he was employed by Jimmy Leake, restoring classic automobiles, a knowledge
he enjoyed sharing with other people. He was involved in the football and
soccer clubs and a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church. He enjoyed
spending time with his grandson.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores Shearer of the home; one daughter,
Brenda Williams of Muskogee; one sister, Anna Belle Williams of Moore;
two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death
by one son, James Ray Shearer; his parents; three brothers; and three sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Shearer's name to the Wesley
United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society, c/o Bradley Funeral
Service, 1020 West Okmulgee Street. Muskogee, OK, 74401.

Elizabeth Oberschelp
Elizabeth "Betty" Oberschelp, longtime Ponca City resident, died Wednesday,
Dec. 18, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 94.
The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 1996, at
the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Monty Fey, pastor, officiating.
Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction
of the Trout Funeral Home. Friends may call at the funeral home until 8:30
a.m. Saturday.
Mrs. Oberschelp was born Oct. 23, 1902, in El Reno, Indian Territory,
Oklahoma, to Thomas Edward and Laura Elizabeth (Doyle) Sturman. At an early
age, she moved with her parents to Apache and later to Anadarko, where
she received her education, graduating from high school in 1920. She attended
Phillips University in Enid and went back to Anadarko to teach second grade
for two years. She moved to Ponca City in October 1924, where she joined
the school faculty, teaching first grade at Garfield and the following
year at Roosevelt schools.
On Oct. 10, 1925, she was married to Arthur W. Oberschelp in Winfield,
Kan. He preceded her in death in 1984. They made their home in Ponca City,
later moving to their present home in Osage County. In her early years
she was active in PTA, serving as president at Garfield, McKinley, Junior
High and the Ponca City PTA Council. A member of Ponca City Mother's Club
since 1924, she also served as president of that club. She was a 50-year
member of the Order of Eastern Star and served as pianist and soloist of
that group. Mrs. Oberschelp was active in Rainbow Girls, earning the Grand
Cross of Colors award. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church,
where she was active in Presbyterian Women and a member of the Chancel
Choir for 67 years.
She is survived by two daughters, Thyra Wilson of Osage County, and
Ann Youngquist of Tallahassee, Fla.; a foster daughter, Juni Parks, of
Ponca City; eight grandchildren, Priscilla Ann Wells, and husband, Clarence;
Paula Sue Dechert and husband, Lou; Scott Wilson and wife Susan; Mark Wilson
and wife, Cindy; Jay Wilson and wife, Cindy; Michael Youngquist and wife,
Vickie; Lisa Hall and husband, Tom; Steve Youngquist and wife, Lisa; 21
great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents,
two sisters, Grace Thurman and Leah Allen, two brothers, Jess Hall and
Hal Sturman; and one great-grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church,
P.O. Box 1442, Ponca City, OK 74602.
"Breathe ye deeply, Butterfly, your time has come to pass."

Ethel Rich Sugg
Ethel Rich Sugg, longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Dec.
19, 1996, at Blackwell Regional Hospital in Blackwell. She was 90.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, at the Asbury United Methodist
Church in Ponca City with the Rev. Buddy Bolin, pastor, officiating. Burial
will be in the Highland Cemetery in Winfield, Kan. Arrangements are under
the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City. Friends may call at
the funeral home until 8:30 a.m. Monday.
Ethel (Collmann) Rich Sugg was born Oct. 25, 1906, in Haven, Kan.,
the daughter of George and Katarina (Peters) Collmann. She received her
education in the Fairmont, Okla., and Winfield, Kan., schools and continued
her education at Southwestern College in Winfield where she earned a degree
in music.
On July 2, 1931, she was married to Paul G. Rich and the couple made
their first home in Winfield, where they owned and operated Rich Electric
Co. In 1945, the couple moved to Ponca City and Mr. Rich died that same
year in June. Mrs. Sugg was a music teacher in the Cowley County, Kan.,
and Kay County rural schools for several years before opening the Rich
Studio in Ponca City. She was married to John Garroutte on Dec. 22, 1952.
She was later married to James Sugg on Sept. 8, 1985. Mrs. Sugg taught
private lessons in piano, organ and vocal music to hundreds of students
of all ages. She was active in music instruction up until she was in her
80s.
Mrs. Sugg was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, where
she had served as organist and choir director in past years. She was past
president of the American Legion Auxiliary and past secretary of the Senior
Bowling League. She enjoyed china painting, ceramics and bowling. Mrs.
Sugg moved to Hillcrest Manor in Blackwell in November 1995. Mr. Sugg preceded
her in death in March 1996.
Survivors include one son, Robert Rich of Ponca City; one daughter,
Aneita LaFountain of Nashville, Tenn; two step-daughters, Evelyn Tomlinson
of Muncie, Ind., and Joyce Snipes of Owasso; three grandchildren; four
great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren;
and three nieces and one nephew. In addition to her husbands and parents,
she was preceded in death by one sister and one brother.
Honorary casket bearers will be Jonathan Rich, Michael Rich, Ron Butler,
Thomas Gaden, Frank Roach, Clyde Robins, Jack Swinehart, Boe Kizer, Leon
Cross and Bill Lauppe.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Sugg's name to the Asbury
United Methodist Church Piano Fund, 700 West Liberty, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The family will be at 423 Drake Drive

Bobbie D. London
Bobbie D. London, longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Dec.
19, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 70.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Trout Funeral Home
chapel with Carl Maples, minister of Hartford Avenue Church of Christ,
officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the
direction of Trout Funeral Home. Friends may call at the funeral home until
noon Monday.
Bobbie D. (Gullett) London was born Nov. 11, 1926, in Aplin, Ark.,
the daughter of S.V. and Lyda (Doyle) Gullett. She grew up in Aplin and
graduated from Aplin High School.
In 1952, she moved to Ponca City. She attended Northern Oklahoma College
at Tonkawa where she earned an associate's degree in both art and nursing.
She was a charter member of the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ, having
joined in 1958.
On Oct. 9, 1959, she was married to Jack London in Fairfax. Mrs. London
was an avid painter and enjoyed gardening. She was active in Ponca City
garden clubs, organizing the Northern Oklahoma Daylily Society. She was
also a member of the Ponca City Art Association.
Survivors include her husband, Jack, of the home; two daughters, Margaret
Gaspar of Sacramento, Calif., and Pamela M. Dickens of Mason, Texas; two
brothers, Louis C. Gullett of El Monte, Calif., and Dr. Dale Gullett of
Dierks, Ark., seven sisters, Olga Carter, Augusta Grounds, Grace Padgett,
Billie Colwell and Jeanette Little, all of Perryville, Ark., Alma Tyler
of Redondo Beach, Calif.; and Elois Wisley of Booneville, Ark.; seven grandchildren;
and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents;
and one brother, William Green Gullett.
Casket bearers will be Walt Beam, John Cox, Bob Gibson, Jim Grubb,
Howard Hulsey, and George Underwood.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. London's name to the Lion's
Eye Bank Program, c/o Connie McAbee Pioneer Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 111,
Ponca City, OK 74602; or to the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, 608 Stanton
L. Young Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73104.

Gladys Emily Gates Myatt
BLACKWELL - Gladys Emily "Mickey" Gates Myatt, former Blackwell resident,
died Friday morning, Dec. 20, 1996, at the Heartland Nursing Center in
Edmond. She was 91.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Roberts Funeral Home
Chapel in Blackwell with the Rev. Tom Hunter, University Heights Baptist
Church, Stillwater, officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery.
Grandchildren will serve as casket bearers.
Gladys Emily "Mickey" (Strain) Gates Myatt was born June 28, 1905,
in southwest Missouri, the daughter of Tom and Ethyl Izona (Hollingsworth)
Strain. She grew up in Missouri and Kansas.
In 1921, she was married to Bryan Gates in Peabody, Kan., and the couple
lived in various communities where his work took them. In 1933, they settled
in Newkirk, where Mr. Gates died in 1936. She then moved to Blackwell and
began employment with Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, and later to Wichita,
Kan., to attend business school. Following her schooling, she returned
to Blackwell and began employment with A.O. Via Agency.
In 1947, she was married to M.W. "Doc" Myatt in Blackwell, where the
couple made their first home. They moved to Ponca City a short time later,
then to Pawhuska, Stillwater, and Oklahoma City. After retirement the couple
moved to Cedar Lake, Okla. After Mr. Myatt's death she remained at Cedar
Lake for a short time before moving to Edmond to live near a son. Mrs.
Myatt was a member of the First Christian Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Ronald (Joy) Sanders of Stillwater;
two sons, Rusty of Edmond, and John of Stella; 10 grandchildren; and numerous
great-grandchildren. In addition to both husbands, and her parents, she
was preceded in death by one brother, Roy Strain; one infant sister; and
one grandson.

Ira Kenneth Psikal
NEWKIRK - Ira Kenneth Psikal, longtime Newkirk area resident, died
Saturday, Dec. 21, 1996, at his home in Newkirk. He was 63.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, in the Miller-Stahl Funeral
Service Chapel in Newkirk. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Cemetery
in Ponca City.
Ira Kenneth Psikal was born Nov. 19, 1933, east of Kildare, the son
of Elmer and Gladys (Livingston) Psikal. He grew up in the Kildare-Uncas
area, attending Uncas schools. During his career in construction, Psikal
was employed at the Cookson Stone and Rock Quarry, for Kay County District
One and Two, at Miller Brothers Sand and Gravel, and with the City of Newkirk.
While employed in Newkirk he was a heavy equipment operator and helped
install the new Newkirk sewer system.
He was married to Carolyn Yazbek in Ponca City and the couple lived
in Uncas and later in Ponca City. He later married Betty (Foxworthy) Baucom
in Fairfax and the couple established their home in Newkirk. Betty Psikal
preceded him in death on Sept. 4, 1993. Psikal enjoyed music and had played
the drums at one time.
Survivors include one son, Michael Psikal of Van Buren, Ark.; two daughters,
Marilyn Dauzart of Ponca City and Clara Klomp of Midwest City; one sister,
Imogene Horinek of Kildare; 11 grandchildren; two stepchildren; a companion
Mike Sroufe who lived at his home; several nieces and nephews; and a sister-in-law.
In addition to his wife, Betty, and his parents, he was preceded in
death by one son; one brother, Elmer Psikal Jr.; and one brother-in-law.

Mary Elizabeth Osage Green
PAWHUSKA - Mary Elizabeth Osage Green, Fairfax resident, and one of
the oldest living full blood Osage Tribal members, died Thursday night,
Dec. 19, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. She
was 88.
Mrs. Green will lie in state at her home, and friends may visit at
139 North Second Street, Fairfax, until funeral time on Monday. A Rosary
will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the home.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Sacred Heart Catholic
Church in Fairfax with Father Ken Lewis of Pawhuska, officiating. Burial
will be in the Grayhorse (Okla.) Cemetery under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten
Funeral Home, Fairfax. Grandsons will serve as casket bearers.
Mary Elizabeth Osage Green was born Nov. 25, 1908, in Pawhuska, the
daughter of Amos and Eliza Buffalo Osage. She was married to Thomas (Gomas)
Green and Lewis Wamego, who both preceded her in death. She was a homemaker
and a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Grayhorse War
Mothers Chapter 15.
Survivors include four daughters, Eunice "Dolly" Lane of Fairfax, Thomasine
Moore and Dolores M. Goodeagle, both of Fairfax and Beverly Rose Brownfield
of Burbank, Okla.; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; seven great-great
grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husbands
and parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson.
The family will be at 139 North Second Street, Fairfax.

Henry L. Martin
Henry L. Martin, longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Dec.
19, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 76.
The funeral will be held graveside at 2 p.m. Monday at Longwood Cemetery,
east of Ponca City. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial
Chapel. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 12:30 p.m. Monday.
Henry L. "Hank" Martin was born July 29, 1920, in Ponca City, the son
of Earlin E. and Bertha (Sullivan) Martin. He grew up in Ponca City and
attended schools at Uncas and Ponca City. During War II, Martin served
in the U.S. Army. He was later employed for several years with Evans and
Throop Construction Co., in Ponca City. Martin was a member of the American
Legion and Disabled American Veterans. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and
going to casinos.
Survivors include two daughters, Connie Eddings of Farmington, N.M.,
and Patsy L. Smith of Nashville, Tenn.; two sons, Earl Martin of Stillwater
and Jim Martin of Ponca City; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
Casket bearers will be Harold T. Smith Jr., Adrian Dean Eddings Jr.,
Scott Smith, Harold Smith Sr., Adrian Dean Eddings Sr., and Trevor A. Wilcox.
The family will be at 1113 West Liberty.

Mary Cathryn Steele
Mary Cathryn Steele, longtime area resident, died Thursday, Dec. 19,
1996, at Westminster Village. She was 94.
The Order for Burial of the Dead will be read Monday, 10 a.m., at Grace
Episcopal Church with the Rev. Kenneth Armstrong, rector, officiating.
Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of the Trout
Funeral Home. Friends may call at the funeral home until 9 a.m. Monday.
Born Oct. 26, 1902, in Orlando, Okla., she was the daughter of James
Hamilton and Minnie Kirk VanDeventer. She attended schools at Perry, graduating
from high school there.
For 25 years, she was employed in real estate and insurance in her
association with the Sills, Broaddus, and Goff Agency. She was a longtime
member of Grace Episcopal Church where she also faithfully served on the
Alter Guild. In earlier years she had enjoyed horseback riding and gardening
and with her first husband was a charter member of the Ponca City Country
Club. She had been residing at Westminster Village for the past eight years.
Mary is survived by a stepson, Richard Steele, Oklahoma City; two nieces,
Cathy I. Marker, Chouteau, and Dorothy Murphy, Tulsa; and one nephew, Dr.
Jon VanDeventer, Fort Worth, Texas. She was preceded in death by husbands
John A. Wisherd in 1967 and Frank Steele in 1982.
Memorials may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 109 North Thirteenth
Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Taz E. Nicks
Taz E. Nicks, longtime Ponca City resident, died Friday morning, Dec.
20, 1996, at Westminster Village. He was 90.
A graveside funeral will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at the IOOF Cemetery
with the Rev. Dr. Monty Fey, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, officiating.
Burial will be under direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Born Feb. 23, 1906, in Dexter, Mo., he was the son of B.H. and Lura
(Woods) Nicks. He attended Dexter schools.
On Oct. 15, 1929, he was married to Virginia J. Harper in Drumright
and the couple moved to Ponca City in 1930. Taz was employed by Santa Fe
Railroad and Conoco. He retired from the Conoco Transportation Department
in February 1971. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include a son, Jerry A. Nicks of Oklahoma City: two grandsons,
David A. Nicks of Ponca City and Curtis Nicks of Houston, Texas; two granddaughters,
Lori Nicks of Plano, Texas, and Mary Kay Duffy of Broken Arrow; and four
great-granddaughters. He is also survived by a brother, Donald Nicks of
St. Louis, Mo.
His wife preceded him in death on Jan. 4, 1992. He was also preceded
in death by his parents; a son, Gene E. Nicks; a grandson; and six brothers.

Norma Jean Barger
BEN WHEELER, Texas - Norma Jean Barger, wife of former Ponca City area
businessman, Lloyd I. Barger, died at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital,
Tyler, Texas, on Friday, Dec. 20. 1996. She was 65.
A memorial service was to be held at Van, Texas, in the Van United
Methodist Church with the Rev. Marty Vershel officiating at 4:30 p.m. today.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hilliard Funeral Home in Van.
Norma Jean (Hendrickson) Barger was born Oct. 9, 1931, in Hartford,
Kan., the daughter of E.A. "Pete" and Edith A. (Beatty) Hendrickson. She
attended Osage City High School and Emporia State Teachers College in Kansas.
She was married to Lloyd Ivan Barger in the 1950s and the couple had
celebrated 46 years of marriage this year. The couple had lived in Ohio
and Oklahoma City in earlier years, before settling in Ben Wheeler about
eight years ago. Mrs. Barger was a homemaker and had been employed as an
executive secretary. She was a member of the Van United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Barger enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, traveling,
cooking, bluebonnets, and listening and dancing to "big band music."
Survivors include her husband, Lloyd Ivan Barger of Ben Wheeler; two
sons, Michael of Houston, Texas, and Steven of Pittsburgh, Pa.; three daughters,
Pam of New Orleans, La., Debbie of Chico, Calif., and Janet of Irving,
Texas; her mother, Edith Hendrickson; two brothers, Ernest and John Hendrickson;
and two sisters, Mary Lou Estes and Lila Fay Lindbloom.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Barger's name to the Louisiana
Breast Cancer Task Force, P.O. box 740999, New Orleans, La. 70174-0999.

Bonita D. Rieger
TONKAWA - Bonita D. Rieger, former Tonkawa resident, died Saturday,
Dec. 21, 1996, at her home in Harlingen, Texas. She was 67.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the McCafferty-Bolick
Funeral Home Chapel in Tonkawa with the Rev. Glenn Hunt, pastor, Grace
Community Church of Tonkawa, officiating. Burial will be in the Riverview
Cemetery, southwest of Tonkawa. Friends may visit at the funeral home beginning
9 a.m. Tuesday.
Bonita D. (Rhoades) Rieger was born Jan. 11, 1929, in Tonkawa, the
daughter of Warren and Blanch (Hazelbaker) Rhoades. She grew up and received
her education in Tonkawa, graduating from high school there in 1946. She
attended Northern Oklahoma College, Oklahoma State University and Central
State Teachers College at Edmond during the summers.
She was married to Eldon Rieger on Jan. 3, 1948, in Bartlesville. Mrs.
Rieger taught in schools in Kansas and Colorado and the family moved to
Bartlesville in 1952. In 1953 she began her 34-year career with Phillips
Petroleum Co. The Riegers moved to Harlingen, Texas, six years ago where
Mrs. Rieger was active in the First Christian Church and served as host
teacher at Long Elementary for five years. In earlier years she was organist
at Christian churches in Tonkawa, Dewey and Bartlesville.
Survivors include her husband, Eldon, of the home; three sons, Phillip
of Madison, Wash., Kenneth of Allen, Texas, and Douglas of Bartlesville;
one daughter, Patti Sue Noon of Enid; and eight grandchildren. She was
preceded in death by her parents.

Velma Gunn Smith
Velma Gunn Smith, longtime Ponca City area resident, died Saturday,
Dec. 21, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 85.
The funeral will be held graveside at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Newkirk
(Okla.) Cemetery. The Rev. William Bonee, pastor of St. Luke's Church of
the Nazarene, Ponca City, will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction
of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City. Friends may visit at the funeral
home until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Velma (Keen) Gunn Smith was born Jan. 23, 1911, southeast of Kildare,
the daughter of William and Oris (Hastings) Keen. She attended Fairview
Rural School near Kildare and later graduated from Botts Business College
in Ponca City.
On Jan. 21, 1931, she was married to William H. "Herb" Gunn in Winfield,
Kan., and the couple made their home in Ponca City. Mr. Gunn preceded her
in death on April 24, 1972.
She was married to Kenneth B. Smith on Sept. 21, 1974, and the couple
established their home in Arkansas City, Kan., until 1991, when they moved
to Ponca City. Mr. Smith preceded her in death on Jan. 3, 1992. Mrs. Smith
was a member of the St. Paul's United Methodist Church and past president
of the Order of the Beauceant, Ponca City Assembly No. 43.
Survivors include one sister, Leona Hunt; of Ponca City; one brother,
Cecil T. Keen, of Ponca City; and several nieces and nephews. In addition
to both husbands and her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters
and four brothers.

Eula Mae McBride
BLACKWELL - Eula Mae McBride, Blackwell resident, died at her home
Friday evening, Dec. 20, 1996. She was 49.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Roberts Funeral
Home in Blackwell with the Rev. Wayne Bookout, First Church of God, officiating.
Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery. Friends may visit at the
funeral home until funeral time.
Eula Mae (Eichinger) McBride was born Aug. 2, 1947, in Maysville, Texas,
the daughter of Frank and Olive (Sanders) Eichinger. She grew up and attended
schools in Cameron, Texas, graduating from high school there in 1965. During
the next 20 years, she lived in various cities including Fort Worth, Texas,
Moline, Ill., and Muskogee and Tonkawa in Oklahoma.
On Nov. 19, 1986, she was married to Robert Dean McBride in Miami,
Okla., and the couple established their home in Blackwell. At the time
of her death, Mrs. McBride was employed in the quality control department
of Cupid Corporation in Blackwell, where she had been employed for 18 years.
She was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church and Veterans of
Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Dean McBride of Blackwell; two
daughters, Brenda Williams of Los Angeles, Calif., and Shelli Rainey of
Copan; one son, Christopher Mills of Blackwell; five sisters, Bertha Carter
of Georgetown, Texas, Lois Carroll of Tahlequah, Lana Coker of Brownsville;
and Betty Chatham and Mary Shipwash, both of Austin, Texas; seven brothers,
Edward, Leland, Jim and Joe Eichinger, all of Cameron, Texas, Tom of Rockwell,
Texas, Doug of Calvert, Texas, and Bill of Buckholts, Texas; and one grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Anna Marie McKnight.
Casket bearers will be Jim Wilson, Bruce Welsch, Abe Schauer, Richard
Hicks, Paul Burris and Toni Angelino.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. McBride's name to the Oklahoma
Medical Research Foundation, General Research, c/o Roberts Funeral Home,
120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.

Dessie Lee Grace
SHIDLER - Dessie Lee (Buckmaster) Grace, Shidler resident, died Saturday,
Dec. 21, 1996, at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa. She was 36.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, at Trinity Pentecostal
Holiness Church in Ponca City. The Rev. Tim Burnsworth, pastor of Grace
Tabernacle of Praise, will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Paul Holmes,
pastor of Trinity Pentecostal Holiness Church. Burial will follow in Resthaven
Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca
City. Friends may visit at the funeral home until noon Tuesday.
Dessie Lee (Buckmaster) Grace was born in Ponca City on Nov. 27, 1960,
the daughter of Troy and Corky (Brown) Buckmaster. She attended schools
in Okay, Okla.
She was married to Kenny Grace and the couple were later divorced.
At the time of her death she was a resident of Shidler and was employed
at Wal-Mart in Ponca City. Mrs. Grace was a member of Grace Tabernacle
of Praise. She enjoyed dancing, bowling, music and collecting earrings.
Survivors include three children, Bret Allen and Lena Ann, both of
the home; and Sammy Ray of Jenks; her parents, Troy and Corky Buckmaster
of Shidler; and one brother, Wendell Buckmaster of Shidler.
Casket bearers will be Willis Lockwood, Clayton Harkema, Lee Russell,
George Lykins Jr., Dewey Homan, and Marty Millard. Honorary bearers will
be Woody Lewis, John Burns, Cory Baughman.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Tabernacle of Praise, c/o
Rev. Tim Burnsworth, 1616 Fairway Place, Ponca City, OK 74604.

Search this massive database of obituaries, cemeteries, and death records: